Photokina 2012: Leica has announced its latest M series rangefinder - the 24MP CMOS Leica M. The company says all future M models will also simply be called the 'M'. The latest model (referred to as 'Typ 240') becomes the first of its rangefinders to feature live view, and offers a choice of magnified view or focus peaking for precise through-the-lens focusing, allowing Leica to promise compatibilty with R-mount lenses. It also becomes the first M capable of movie shooting - capturing 1080p footage at 25 or 24 frames per second. It includes a 920k dot LCD with smartphone-style Gorilla Glass cover, and accepts the same plug-in EVF as used by the X2. Availability is scheduled for early 2013 with a retail price of $6,950 in the US and £5100 in the UK.

NEW: THE LEICA M

The perfection of digital rangefinder technology

Solms, Germany (September 17, 2012) - Leica Camera presents a groundbreaking milestone in the nearly 60 year history of the Leica rangefinder system: The Leica M. Setting entirely new standards, the Leica M unites the ultimate in rangefinder precision with cutting edge digital technology. As the first camera to implement a newly designed CMOS image sensor and to feature additional focusing methods and functions such as Live View and Full HD video capability, it is the most versatile Leica rangefinder model ever. Remaining true to the legendary values of the M-System, the Leica M not only provides the advantages of rangefinder photography, but also for the first time, offers compatibility with Leica R legacy lenses. As with every innovation and development since the flagship line’s inception, the Leica M was created to capture fleeting moments of time and transform them into living history.

The Leica M also marks the beginning of a new era in the Leica product naming policy. In future, Leica M and S model names will omit the number suffix to emphasize the enduring and long-term significance of the respective systems.

In every respect, the new Leica M is the most innovative and versatile model the modern M-System has ever created. Looking to the future, the Leica M is the first in a long line of Leica rangefinder cameras to feature a completely new development in sensor technology; the Leica Max CMOS image sensor. This 24 MP, full 35 mm format sensor was designed and constructed in collaboration with CMOSIS especially for the camera and its use with M- and R-Lenses. This new development successfully transfers the characteristic advantages of CCD sensors, such as natural and brilliant color rendition and impressive reproduction of details, to a CMOS sensor.

In combination with the high-performance Leica Maestro processor that is also employed in Leica S cameras, this new full format sensor guarantees maximum imaging quality and speed. Now, all elements in the image creation chain, from the lens to the image file, are under complete control of the Leica engineers. This guarantees the ultimate in imaging performance and quality. An additional highlight is the low power consumption of the components that, in conjunction with the particularly high capacity of the battery, ensures outstanding performance over a long period of use.

In 1954, the launch of the M-System opened new horizons in reportage and artistic photography. Now at the dawn of a new era in the system’s technology, the Leica M offers a multitude of new features. The first of these are Live View and Live View Focus. Image composition can now take place in real time with the view of the subject through the lens. The sharpness, exposure and color content of images can now be precisely assessed on the camera’s large, 3-inch, high-resolution monitor screen with 920,000 pixels. The glass covering plate of the monitor screen is manufactured from particularly tough and scratch-resistant Corning®Gorilla®Glass. The new Live View function allows photographers to have access to entirely new opportunities that, in combination with the outstanding performance of Leica M- and R-Lenses, go far beyond the classical capabilities of rangefinder photography. This applies particularly to macro and telephoto photography, but also allows even more discreet shooting. In combination with M- and R-Lenses, the camera’s new 1080p Full HD video capability also opens up further opportunities to record memories as they happen.

Ever in pursuit of capturing Henri Cartier-Bresson’s “Decisive Moment,” the Leica M offers two additional focusing methods that can be activated quickly and easily with the new focus button. M-Photographers now have even more options for capturing outstandingly sharp images. The new ‘Live View Zoom’ option enables up to 10 x magnification for precise assessment of the sharpness of subject details or the close focusing limit. The second aid to focusing is ‘Live View Focus Peaking’. Here, contours in the subject are automatically displayed as red lines to allow simple and convenient focus assessment. Focusing precision can be assessed on the basis of the intensity of the lines displayed.

The Leica M’s features are optimally combined with the typical values of the Leica rangefinder system and guarantee the accustomed dependability of the Leica M in all photographic situations, from available light photography to discreet and aesthetic fine-art image composition. In line with the principles of the M-Philosophy, all functions and features are designed and constructed for absolute robustness and a long working life. The top deck and the base plate of the Leica M are machined from solid brass blanks and the full-metal chassis is a completely self-contained diecast element manufactured from high-strength magnesium alloy. Special rubber seals protect the camera body against dust, spray and moisture.

The new rangefinder camera is also a typical M due to its intuitive handling concept with direct manual setting options and fast access to functions. The enhanced layout and particular user-friendliness of the menu interface guarantees a clear and uncomplicated overview of all camera settings at all times. Dedicated button controls have been provided for the Live View and new focusing functions. Live View Zoom and Live View Focus Peaking can be selected with the new focus button on the front of the camera. User profiles can be programmed with any camera and shooting settings, stored under an arbitrary name. They can be accessed quickly whenever required for particular situations and can now also be saved to an SD memory card. For increased comfort in use and harkening to the film advance lever of Leica film cameras, the Leica M now provides an ergonomically formed thumb rest with an integrated setting dial at the top right on the back of the top deck. This ensures that the camera can be held securely in even the most demanding situations.

A wide range of optional accessories is also available for the new Leica M. A particular highlight of the range is a new Leica R-Adapter M that allows almost all R-Lenses ever built to be mounted on the camera. The use of Leica R-System lenses now opens up vast new possibilities for zoom, telephoto and macro photography.

Further accessories are the Leica EVF2, Visoflex electronic viewfinder and a multifunctional handgrip-M with an integrated GPS module that, in combination with optional finger loops in various sizes (S, M and L), helps to ensure safe and steady handling of the camera and lens system. The range also includes a Leica Microphone Adapter set for perfect sound with video recordings.

The Leica M will be available from Leica dealers, including the Leica Store Washington DC, in early 2013 in a choice of black paint or silver chrome finish.

Comments

Thickness is a bummer.The M9 is borderline OK, although it feels chunky compared to the M6 or MP (THE best Leica bodies on the planet). Further 5mm plus sounds and looks like a brick to me. Thanks but no thanks. You wanna shoot video with M lenses? Get a SONY NEX body or something with an adapter.Nice idea that you can use the same M for different jobs but it's as awkward as it gets, like a a Visoflex. An M is an M, simple and neat, RF, small lenses, nerdy but sexy, Just point, focus, shoot and hope you got it right. But putting all those gadgets on... c'mon, it feels like a NASA operation, docking modules to the ISS.

Just been over the spec sheet for the M and its a full 5mm thicker than the M9/M-E! That's a big increase. I wonder why that is? They're all full-frame digital rangefinders, why the need for such an ungainly fattening? It's also quite a bit heavier. Of far less importance the video spec is really circa 2008 - motion JPEG recording and no higher than 25 fps even at 720p. But you don't purchase an M-series for video, so not a deal breaker. Apart from those minor issues this is really the M-series people in the know have been waiting for!

Just thought - the increase in thickness might be due to the new thumb grip and protrusion of the larger back panel LCD.

Thank you Leica for let me waiting so long!! This is the one I dreamed for, high resolution FF sensor, live view display, can use both M and R lenses. Being using the M6 for years, then put it down for another years since shooting digital became the main stream and buying film become inconvenient. But I didn't join the Nikon or Canon big family. I used the Sigma dp1 and dp2 instead. Em.., I think it is the right time to buy me a new Leica. I feel I'm coming home.

I can't wait to get my hands on this new Leica M. It will finally let me use all of my 'M' lenses and 'R' lenses on the same full-frame camera body. People like me have been waiting years for this (the fabled 'Leica R solution'). And now we have i!. I, for one, can't wait. Thank you Leica. And for those who have never picked up, let alone used, a Leica, I completely understand why you don't 'get it'. I didn't either, until I picked one up myself, and I speak as someone who has used almost every major large-format, medium-format and 35mm SLR camera system there has been during my 50 year love affair with photography (note: not cameras). But the Leica is different. For me, anyway. The build quality of the equipment is fantastic but, more importantly, the image quality and ability to control it is like nothing else. And that's because these cameras don't do anything for you. It's all down to you. Pick one up, and you might feel it, too.

The Leica glass is indeed excellent - and I'm sure the Cmosis sensor is tailored specifically to it. As an example, I get no corner/edge issues with my 21mm Elmarit. The M9's offset microlenses and sensor firmware take care of vignetting and color shift rather nicely. :)

Don't know about everyone else but I wish Canon would make an SLR camera with the F-stop changeable on the lenses like in the " good old days " prior to the digital era. I still hugely miss that in a digital SLR, found it so much quicker to change the f-stop when it was on the barrel as opposed to pushing a switch and ergonomically it felt better for support. I like the look of this Leica. Price however is never cheap with this brand.

This should put all overly hasty assumptions that it is a Sony sensor to rest.

Being a Belgian engineer, I knew already about Antwerp-based company CMOSIS and understood that they have a number of highly talented and experienced people working there. They are mainly active in sensors for industrial, medical, air/space etc applications and it is interesting to see them branching out in consumer territory, in as much as.a Leica can be considered as a consumer product of course :-)

I am especially curious about:- the general performance of the new sensor. The company behind it has a lot of know-how, even if they are rarely coming into the consumer segment. High iso is not the only parameter, I am also intereted in colour, dynamics etc.- the ergonomics when using magnification and focus peaking, as the camera is not a point and shoot, this doesn t seem trivial.- the ergonomics of the thicker body compared to the excellent ergonomics of its predecessors- the ergonomics of using R lenses on it- the ease or difficulty of getting sharp pictures with the rangefinder only. I mention this because 24mp may make this critical and a slightly different focus is more visible than in the days of film.

Several of the above comments probably dont matter when using the external optional evf (i assume that focus peaking and magnification works in it as well), but I can t shake the feeling that they should have incorporated a hybrid vf inside the body, fuji style.

enough already with that same old body shape... this is NOT the most beautiful or the most functional or the most practical body shape a camera could ever have. perhaps the folks at the design department need some imagination?!

It's a matter of taste. No one should make bold statements about the aesthetics of a camera - or anything else. As for me, I love Leica's perennial design, but I allow for others to feel differently. I even understand it if someone loves the Hasselblad Lunar, although I know I'd lose all my friends if I bought one.

The Nikon F with Nikkor 50 mm f/2 lens had a list price of US$ 359.50 in 1959. Let's say it was the best deal for money. SSA says US national average wage was $3,856 then. That means, an average person had to spend 1.12 months working to get one Nikon F with a kit lens in 1959.SSA says US national average wage for 2010 is 41,674. To keep the same value in the estimation of what we had to work for then, a 2010 equivalent camera and lens kit should cost around $3900.

Similarly, nobody can afford for the Ford Model T with the nowadays salary. But, think more, how many people bought Ford Model T or Nikon F at the time in the past and how many go for $4K kit nowadays? Technology and mass production make cheaper goods. You may spend $100 for the Nikon F kit now on Ebay and see how much different that a $4K set like 5D2 + 70-200mm 2.8 IS can make in comparison to Nikon F.

I shot with an Epson RD1, being a Canon user since the early 90's, and I seriously might move to the M with the CMOS sensor. But again, even the CCD sensor of the M9 was great because it doesn't have an anti-alias filter, although it might not do 56,000 ISO or whatever. The images from my RD1 at 1600 were nice and grainy in B&W.

looking at the new M, is Leica moving towards into a more modular approach? the premise of adapting those R lenses on an M body and have some of the ergonomics of recent SLRs or m4/3s is really enticing. of course there are more advantages in using a dedicated SLR system but this is really exciting to say the least. need something for unobtrusive street shooting? use M lenses. need the reach of a telephoto or magnification of macro? use the EVF and adapt an R lens. And it's full frame too!

It is really an exciting time to be in this hobby (or addiction, whatever floats your boat).

Hi ThereYou don't need stop down metering with a mirror-less camera. Set the aperture you want to use, and the EVF gains up to show you the correct depth of field / metering etc. It's much more elegant than stop down metering, and works really well using 3rd party lenses and adapters on other mirrorless systems.

There is always a lot of people saying the M Leica are too expensive. However, for the time being, it is the only full frame interchangeable lens mirror-less camera. Perhaps if someone else could be bothered to make a good camera to rival Leica (as Cosina did in the film era) and make use of the wide range of M mount lenses, then we could have a cheaper alternative.

IMHO this will not happen. All the camera makers want to earn more $$$ from lenses not only cameras. Once Sony's FF Nex comes out, Leica lenses price will go up again. Better buy some Leica lens now(But not their M body) Cheers!

A lot of prejudging going on here. People seem seriously obsessed about the cost at the expense of their own rationality.

I shoot a Canon 5DmkII as well as a Leica M9. Rangefinder focusing is admittedly not for everyone but I can certainly say the IQ of the M9 easily exceeds the 5DmkII despite the lower rez sensor - the Leica glass is simply phenomenal. Canon has nothing even remotely close to Leica quality, especially on the wide end. I'm very eager to see RAW results from the new M's sensor to see if adding the new M to my setup makes sense.

Is $7K a reasonable price for a camera? Given the resulting images, the insane build quality and the compactness of the M9, certainly I think so.

The disdain folks have for Leica and its users borders on pathology. I'm a decent photographer who takes great pride in my work and having people dismiss me as a "dupe" or fool simply because one of my cameras is rather expensive is idiotic in the extreme.

same here. I'm seriously thinking on moving myself to the M. I did Wedding photography with 5D's and 1D's. At a friend's wedding I shot with an Epson RD1, I had so much fun and the images showed the fun I had.One day I'll shoot a whole wedding with an M, that would be sweet. My wedding photography is "street style" anyway, lots of candids, casuals, etc. So it's a perfect match.

Is it digital rangefinder camera or it is modern mirrorless device with rudimental rangefinder? EVF, LV, SLR camera lens adapters - is it important and useful with classic rangefinder system?! I think no.

Yes, it looks like they have adopted the frames from a special edition M9 Titanium design by Walter de Silva of Volkswagen cars. Now discontinued, it had single electronic frame lines instead of the two at a time all other M's have.

The Ti M9 cost £15,000 too, which makes this M seem like even more of a bargain.

Sure.I Have an M6 ( Germany made) an M8 and an old M3 with pop lens.( Good enough for you? )So: I don't use the M8 but in daylight and for fun.Why: impossible to deal with noise, and wrong blacks ( remember? )SO: I use Fuji X-Pro 1 X-100 and EOS Mark IV.And most of all avoid being classist as you.How many Leicas do you have my friend?

To buy the new Hasselblad Lunar or the new Leica M-series camera? Both have 24-MP sensors; both are finely crafted engineering masterpieces. Decisions, decisions.

Since I'm of sound mind and not made of money, it's actually a pretty easy decision: none of the above. I'll be waiting for the next sub-$800 Panasonic, Nikon or Canon masterpiece, thank you very much.

I don't care what the "fans talk about", this camera is Oskar speaking to us from the grave. He loved making the M the center of a huge system of accessories and add-ons. He was the brains behind PLOOT, and SLR mirror-box that you put between the M and a line of telephoto and macro lenses. PLOOT became Visoflex, and remained in continuous production for half a century...

In new M, Leica did not address the intrinsic alignment weakness of the rangefinder mechanism.With my M9 I struggled with the rangefinder for one year and a half, sending the camera to Solms at least three times, and in last August it was again out of sync.I find it a half hearted effort to overload a camera with any kind of electronic gadget, however useful it is, without definitely fixing one of the M system's drawbacks, i.e. the tendency of the rangefinder of getting out of alignmnt.Nice to have live view or peak focus as a backup, but they are just that: a backup.

Leica's when "on focus" is sharp in center to corner, with minimal distortion. It's hard to find Canon/Nikon lenses that can match that. It's not only about sensor performance, because you can have a great sensor, and put a cheap $500 lens on it. If you compare a Nikon's 24-70 F2.8 and Canon's version, you'll see Canon's is not as sharp and has more distortion in the wide end. THUS, the Nikon lens is more expensive. Oh wait... you were talking about sensor performance and not lenses you say? well, the OP was talking about rangefinder alignment... so...

The camera might be built to last a lifetime, but the sensor will be obsolete and unwanted in just a few years unlike the MP and 7 (and earlier models) that will keep their owners happy (and not continually upgrading) as long as film is still available.

If you take the time to read the press release:
"This 24 MP, full 35 mm format sensor was designed and constructed in collaboration with CMOSIS especially for the camera and its use with M- and R-Lenses."

This camera has the best controls: very simple and effective. Others manufactures cannot match its simplicity.No, I don't want Leica, because I hace Fuji TX-1, which is better for me. But I want DSLR manufacturer to make such simple and effective controls. Film SLR from all manufacturer had them (Olympus OM, Nikon FM.., for example). And why not to make true rangefinder camera, only rangefinder-style?

Simple and effective controls on a DSLR? Admittedly most DSLRs have a lot of controls compared to a Leica or even some of the mirrorless cameras. BUT and this is a BIG but, you only need to use three to get perfectly acceptable pictures from most DSLRs.1) Power.2) Mode Dial (set to 'A' or 'P') and leave.3) Shutter Release.

DLSRs can be complex, but I suspect that for most users they are not much different from a point and shoot and a lot more effective than a Leica would be, since the AF does the heavy lifting.

Not to knock the Leica, but suggesting that DSLR operation is not simple in comparison to a Leica is a bit disengenious.

I don't follow the Leica line very much but this looks like the first rangefinder they've offered with some real, modern features. It looks very attractive to me....but not the price. Can I afford one? Yes. Can I justify spending so much on a camera and then the very expensive lenses too? No....which is why I'm in good shape financially. If I did have money to burn though, I'd be interested in one ;-)

Now that this camera has live-view and doesn't depend on its rangefinder mechanism for accurate focus it will be interesting to see new dedicated M-series macro, zoom and longer telephoto lenses become available for this system.

I don't have Leica and probably never have one, but still don't understand all that complaints...there are million things on this planet that are million times more expensive...if you complain it's not for you, if you have money to spend I am sure you love it!

Those here who troll to bash Leica have likely never shot a Leica camera. Many probably do not know how to shoot photography other than "P" for perfect mode anyways. They likely will never be able to afford one as they fail to grasp the value of what decades of Leica quality and manufacturing have brought.

The bashers only see what Leica does not give you as compared to the more typical and often gimmick loaded DSLR's or other digital cameras. The absence of some of these things and gimmicks is what makes a Leica endearing to true photographic shooters.

These bashers have likely never shot a true rangefinder let alone a Leica be it a 35mm film body or a digital. They are folks that would not understand the value of prestige and what superlative manufacturing quality brings.

No I do not own a Leica never have shot one but if I had the disposable cash at hand to buy a Leica M series I would and both a film body as well as the digital one here.

What is the relationship between being able to afford something and appreciating it's value?Oh that's right none.

Is the M less endearing, with all the gimmicks it has (live view, video, focus peaking, EVF)? Of course like the rest of us you won't know, because as you say you don't got one and you ain't shot one. So as a non Leica owner and non Leica shooter how do you know the value of a Leica from any perspective other than as a brand?

BTW I'd buy one too if I had the coin, but I don't imagine that if I did manage to buy one, that I'd be better than the lowly DSLR shooters.

Man, shooting Leica with live view, like point-and-shoot,must be looking funny :) If it can produce video the same sharpness as Black Magic, or Sony FS100, EOS C100, then the price is absolutely perfect.

I own an M (non movie version, of course). I have to say that although the shooting experience is top-notch, I occasionally find myself trying to justify the cost of it versus my Canon. Sure my photo projects will pay for it, but while the Leica experience is excellent, it's also expensively excellent (or excellently expensive). More a collector's item than a real-world tool for me.

it will be a mirrorless camera that the aspiring brand masses will buy and use as a point and shoot never looking through the rangefinder (you know the same people that buy the LV bags). Good marketing decision by Leica, and they beat Sony to sell a FF product that takes M lenses

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